Brain Fitness Software – The Gift They’ll Remember

When you’re racking your brain for gift ideas this holiday season don’t forget to put brain training software on your list. You can be pretty sure that the recipient won’t already have it, and for the right person it’s sure to make you a hit.

[I:https://healthclub90.com/storage/2011/12/MartinGWalker14.png]If you know someone who enjoys games and puzzles, brain training will make the perfect gift. An effective brain training program (we’ll get to that later) stimulates the user in such a way that his or her brain power actually increases, making the training not only enjoyable but useful, too.

Brain training isn’t just for the brainy. It’s also a great idea for those lacking regular mental stimulation or beginning to suffer from the inevitable mental decline that sets in when we reach our early forties. Purchasing effective brain training software without offending can be a bit like buying an exercise bike for someone with a few extra pounds to shed. Will the recipient be truly grateful for our loving gesture, or will he secretly wonder how much the bike will fetch on eBay? Nevertheless, for someone itching to shed those mental pounds, brain training software is just the ticket.

Although it’s not yet widely understood, brain training has established the scientific credentials to demonstrate that it is here to stay. Week after week news studies show that the brain isn’t just a fixed gray lump, but something that can grow and change with the right stimulation. Test scores, mental health, intelligence – all respond to the right kind of mental exercise making brain training software not just a novel gift but an adaptable one, too.

There’s only one snag. Which brain fitness program to buy? Here’s where things get somewhat more difficult.

Since the brain training field is relatively new, there hasn’t yet been a shakeout in the market. Far from it. This year software vendors have been releasing new brain training products thick and fast hoping for a piece of the growing pie. For consumers this results in a minefield – high-priced products, affordable products, science-based training, pseudoscientific games. It’s all out there.

Here are a few things to look out for when researching products:

1. Is the brain training derived from a specific scientific program or research study, and what did that study show? (If this isn’t clearly stated, beware.)

2. Does the training meets the baseline goals for plastic change in the brain – that it demands focus and attention with a rewarding exercise, and that it progressively trains core brain functions (such as working-memory, processing speed and left / right brain interaction)? As with anything worth the effort, if it’s not challenging, it won’t work.

3. Does the vendor recommend a particular training schedule and does the time commitment seem reasonable to fit into the gift recipient’s schedule?

Buying the right brain training program isn’t just a matter of spending more. In this new market, price doesn’t determine quality. Which gives us an opportunity to find a product that is not only effective but affordable.

One thing is sure, with a little research we can end up with a truly novel and satisfying gift that will be enjoyed and valued for years to come.

Scientist, author, and technologist, Martin Walker is a member of The British Neuroscience Association, Learning and The Brain, and MENSA. His brain training company Mind Evolve Software publishes free information in the field of neuroscience and effective, affordable brain fitness software.

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